As someone who just became a part of Hofstra’s Greek Life, what I learned from the formal recruitment processes are lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. If you are planning on going Greek, you will need these tips, and even if you are just going to Greek parties, you’ll hopefully have a better understanding of what brought us to where we are today.
Don’t Be Shy!
Recruitment is an experience similar to orientation. Develop friendships beyond the basics of your major, hometown and favorite hobby. You never know if the girl who you’re competing for a bid with will end up being your lifelong friend despite your letters!
Ask Questions
You may have a preconceived idea of which organization you would like to be a part of, but without caring to know the foundations of every one, you won’t fully be taking the opportunity given.
Bond With Your Pledge Class
At this point, you may know a lot of the girls in the organization you received a bid from, but you have absolutely no idea about the girls who will carry you throughout the next five weeks. These girls are the ones who will keep your sanity and be there for you because no one else outside of Greek Life will understand what you’re going through.
Don’t Forget Your Non-Greek Friends
When you first start the process, it is easy to get swept up in the thrills of your organization. However, at Hofstra you can’t join Greek life until at least a semester in, which means you probably have friends that you count on and vice versa that got you through your first semester. Those friends that you’ve had for a semester shouldn’t be neglected now that you have letters.
Spend Some Time Alone
Always having girls around you 24/7 who have the same overall goal of becoming a part of Greek Life can be difficult. Everyone has different personalities and although you may love every single one of them, you will get sick of them at some point. Set aside time for yourself to veg out and focus on something other than yourself or organization – for your sanity.
Get Organized/Stay Focused
Adding on any new task or joining new clubs takes a lot of your time whether you intend for it to or not. You will find yourself trying to do 100 trillion things in order to prove that you are capable of more pressing future tasks. Just remember that it is better to excel at a select few things rather than giving minimal effort to many!
Have Fun!!
One thing I can easily say is I won’t forget some of the stupid memories that I have made through this process. Only my pledge class would make a video to “I’m On a Boat” using pool sticks as oars and the couches in our lounge to create a boat because, why not? You might as well set the tone for the inevitable awesomeness that is in your near future!
Happy Emerging Greek Member Graduation to the Class of Spring 2015!!!!